Preeti Joshi

Story

I was born in Goa, India in 1966. My parents were studying in India but moved to Tanzania when I was a few months old. I spent four happy years then with a large extended family. Too soon, the upheavals in Africa disrupted my childhood. My family left Tanzania when I was just 4 years old. We left because there was political unrest in the country and my Father (at the time a young Doctor) had applied for, and been given a visa to Australia. This was during the time that the immigration policies to Australia were relaxed. My parents feared that if we stayed in Africa, their children would be forced into a very limited education. Australia, to them, represented opportunity for growth and change. They left with very little money, no jobs at their destination, two young children and a great deal of bravado.

We left Dar es Salam in June by air. We spent two weeks in India with my Grandparents and then flew into Sydney on a cold winters day, the 17-7-71. My recollection of the journey was a feeling of great excitement. My parents and little sister on a huge adventure across the world. I remember that I had never eaten Western food – my first taste was on that long flight! My Mum was very quiet. Perhaps she thought she would not see her family again and certainly she knew that life would not be the same.

We arrived in Australia and my Dad tells me that he didn’t really know where to go. The Taxi driver suggested Manly. We stayed for a week near the beach and it was beautiful. I was excited because we all slept in the one room. I’m not sure my parents felt the same way. The funds for a hotel room did not last so we then moved to a flat at the back of someone’s house in Burwood. I then remember cold and bewilderment. We had moved from a tropical country to Sydney in winter. My Dad slept in his one and only suit. I slept in a bed by myself (for the first time in my life – without my Grandmother) while my parents and sister slept in the other bed. My Dad went to work as a Resident in a hospital and my Mum toughed it out at home with two young children, no relatives – and no spices. Our few expat contacts became family. I learnt to refine my English watching Sesame Street on TV.

My Dad decided to set up a General practice in the Southern Suburbs of Sydney. He has been there as a GP since 1972. He is part of the furniture there now. I have two dear sisters, the last of whom was born in Sydney. I went to school and was the only child who had a different background. Back then, being born in another country provided many challenges. At the time, the understanding and the awareness of different cultures and people was very limited. While some things were undoubtedly painful, we could see the humour as well. I still remember when I was very small, my teacher told me to clean my musical instrument in a certain way. My parents and I set out on an expedition to the local shops to buy elbow grease.

After school, I went to the University of Sydney. I studied Medicine and became a Doctor in 1990. I then went on to study Paediatrics and subsequently wrote my PhD. I work as a specialist Doctor now in Sydney. I met my husband at University and we have two beautiful children who are a true joy. We have worked, travelled and lived all over the world but have chosen Australia as our home. I can already see that this country is great for our children and the opportunities they have will more than justify my parents’ decision all those years ago.

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